WANDA
ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTOSThe
Cops and Kids shopping program was a huge success this year
as more than 200 children were invited to take part in the
shopping spree at the Alco Store in Versailles on Saturday,
December 17. Pictured above, Lt. Randy Holt of the Ripley
County Sheriff's Office participated in the event, as two
children who didn't know each other, conferred on their
gifts. The officer pictured with Lt. Holt is ISP Trooper
Kevin Riodan. Pictured below, Deputy Corky Houseworth, also
of the sheriff's office, paused for a quick photo as the
children he had helped were getting ready to leave the store.
Jeff Thielking, secretary for the local Fraternal Order
of Police noted there were about 100 more children this
year than last. He noted all the different law enforcement
agencies of the county were represented at the event.

Wanda
English Burnett
Editor

The addition of 3200 square feet
to Neals Funeral Home in Osgood has provided the space
needed to serve the community at their time of need, according
to Lila Neal, owner of the funeral home.

At an open house/remembrance service held Sunday, December 11
Neal told those gathered, I love this community. The reason
I built this (expansion/renovation) is to make it better for
you at your time of need.

The ceremony was held with candles being lit by Linda Bruce,
funeral home employee, in honor of those who had lost loved
ones over the past year. As Neal stood before those gathered
she told them she was wearing a necklace and earrings that belonged
to her late mother, Jo Coyle. She told them she understands
their grief.

The expansion of the funeral home will serve the community with
the ability to hold more people with the Chapel alone accommodating
150. Additional rooms equipped with large screen televisions,
also provide space that can hold an additional 80 people. The
color tones of the Chapel bring warmth and comfort to families
as they grieve. The other rooms are equipped with large screen
TVs that allow for photos and videos to be played for
services as was demonstrated at the end of the remembrance service
on Sunday when Silent Night was played with a variety of picture
messages to compliment the song.

The Ripley County Chamber of Commerce was on hand to welcome
Neals Funeral Homes latest expansion and thank them
for being a vital part of the community. Town board president
Linda Krinop spoke at the opening ceremony thanking the funeral
home for their dedication. Board member DeeDee Holliday said,
Lila, job well done, to which the crowd applauded.

Lila Neal has been serving the community for 25 years. Her son,
Travis, is now in mortuary school and will hopefully carry on
the tradition for years to come, although Lila reminded him
at the open house that she isnt quite ready to give up
helping others in their time of grief just yet. I care
deeply for each of you, she told those gathered in the
spacious room.

The funeral home has quadrupled in size with the large renovation/addition
project that boasts additional restrooms, spacious kitchen and
a covered patio area that will be in use in warmer weather.
The existing funeral home also received a face lift, with upgrades
in every room.

Neals staff includes: Ed Wolfe, Linda Bruce, Kenny Harlemert
and Ona Peetz. Her family was in attendance at the open house
on Sunday and includes: sons, Travis and wife, Toya; Fred and
wife Alesha; daughter Shannon and husband, Jeff McLeod. Her
husband, Bill, was not able to attend Sunday due to a medical
issue. She thanked all of them for their support over the years
and welcomes Travis as he begins his mortuary school journey.

Neal told the Osgood Journal she is planning to have a remembrance
service each year for those who have lost family members. She
knows the holidays are a particularly hard time and plans to
have the service at that time to help those remember their loved
one and know there are others who care for them in their time
of sorrow.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT
PHOTOS
Pictured at below Linda Bruce, employee of Neal's Funeral
Home, lights candles at a remembrance service on Sunday,
December 12. Above the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce
participated in a ceremony at an open house also held
Sunday. Pictured above from left are: Ed Wolfe, employee
of Neal's Funeral Home, Alesha Neal, representing the
chamber, and also Lila's daughter-in-law, Travis Neal,
Lila's son and mortician in training, Lila Neal, owner
of the funeral home, Linda Bruce and Ona Peetz, employees
of the funeral home, and Amy Thomas, executive director
of the chamber.